Wilcox will be back

Randy Moore

01/01/2011

Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley has gotten some salve for the gaping wound inflicted by Thursday night's controversial Music City Bowl loss to North Carolina.

First-year Vol defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox is not considering a move to the same job at the University of Texas. Wilcox was reported to be among the leading candidates for the position, which has been vacant since Will Muschamp left the Longhorns Dec. 11 to become head coach at Florida.

Jimmy Stanton, Tennessee's associate athletics director of communications, verified Wilcox's decision in an email to InsideTennessee.com that stated: "I can confirm that Justin will be the defensive coordinator at Tennessee again next year."

That seems to suggest that Wilcox also is not interested in the coordinator position at Florida. He has been mentioned in connection with that job, as well.

Wilcox's original contract called for him to make $625,000 in Year 2 of his three-year deal with Tennessee. He reportedly is in line for a raise, however, that will earn him more than that in the season ahead.

Regardless, Wilcox's decision to stay put appears to be a significant plus for Tennessee. The Vols made considerable late-season progress under his guidance. After allowing 244 points in the first eight games - an average of 30.5 points per contest - the Big Orange defense allowed just 13.0 points per outing in the final four regular-season games.

Tennessee limited North Carolina to 17 points in the first 59 minutes and 59 seconds of the Music City Bowl. After the referee announced "The game is over," however, a replay review prompted officials to put one second back on the clock. That enabled the Tar Heels to kick a game-tying field goal on the final play of regulation, then add a touchdown in overtime and a field goal in the second overtime to finish with 30 points.